On Friday 2 December 2022, the Madadeni High Court convicted and sentenced Sboniso Linda (36) and Nkanyiso Mungwe (25) for the murder of Sergeant Mzamiseni Mbele (39) which happened at Weenen in April last year.
Sergeant Mbele who was stationed at Msinga police station was on his way home when he had a vehicle breakdown along the R74 highway in Weenen.
He informed his wife about the incident and whilst awaiting assistance, the accused approached him with pretence to ‘help’. Linda and Mungwe instead of assisting surprise attacked Mbele. They robbed him of his belongings and fled the scene.
The following day, Mbele’s lifeless body was found by a farm worker.
A case of murder was reported at Weenen police station and the docket was allocated to the Hawks members from Pietermaritzburg Serious Organised Crime Investigation.
The accused were arrested and charged with murder. Their bail was successfully opposed and they appeared in court several times until they were found guilty.
Linda was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for murder and 10 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances of which half of the sentence will run concurrently.
Linda will serve 25 years direct imprisonment. Mungwe was sentenced to five years imprisonment for attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances.
